Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Thursday he will not vote to confirm acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the permanent role until Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. Why it matters: Even a single Republican "no" vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee would prevent Blanche's nomination from advancing to a confirmation vote before the full Senate. What they're saying: "I have not made a final decision, but Mr. Blanche said very quickly yesterday that he would meet with the Epstein victims today if it could be arranged," Tillis said during Thursday's committee hearing. - "[I]t seemed to me that Mr. Blanche was willing to say that he would meet with them — and counsel — I understand the restriction that…
Federal regulators are investigating whether a White House teleprompter operator capitalized on his knowledge of President Trump's prepared speech text by making trades on the prediction market Kalshi, according to two sources familiar with the matter. - The speeches the person allegedly traded on included the State of the Union in February. Why it matters: The rise of prediction markets has raised concerns about insider trading , which Kalshi and federal regulators say they're well positioned to combat. Driving the news: Gabriel Perez, the teleprompter operator, is under investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over the allegations that he bet on Kalshi "mention markets" using information on Trump's planned remarks,"…
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he'd leave the Democratic Party if it becomes the "anti-Israel party," though he signaled he had no plans to imminently depart the caucus. Why it matters: Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but with midterm elections looming, Fetterman's comments could be a blow to Democrats should they flip four seats in November and regain control. - Fetterman acknowledged the Democrats' difficult Senate math when speaking Wednesday at The Hill Nation Summit: "And if we flip those four seats, then I would be 51, and ... watch what I do." - He continued, "I'm the guy that would be there that 51 as the committed Democrat." Driving the news: Democrats have grown more disillusioned and angry toward…
Iran has reportedly directed its Houthi proxies in Yemen to prepare to close the Red Sea's vital oil trade route, posing a serious threat to global energy supplies.
Iran has reportedly directed its Houthi proxies in Yemen to prepare to close the Red Sea’s vital oil trade route, posing a serious threat to global energy supplies. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has reportedly directed Yemen’s Houthis to prepare to close the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital oil shipping route, if the U.S. targets Iranian power infrastructure. This directive, conveyed through Iran’s fractured leadership, underscores Tehran’s strategy to pressure Washington by threatening global energy supplies. DETAIL: The Houthis, supported by Iran, have reportedly deployed drones and missiles near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, awaiting orders to disrupt shipping. This comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran are…Open
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for a stronger Royal Navy after Argentina claimed ownership of the Falkland Islands following its World Cup match against England.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for Britain to bolster its Royal Navy after Argentinian players displayed a provocative anti-British banner following their World Cup victory over England. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a stronger Royal Navy after Argentina’s soccer team unfurled a banner claiming ownership of the Falkland Islands following their World Cup match against England on Wednesday. KEY QUOTE: “Whilst I am disgusted at the behaviour of some Argentinian players last night, the most important thing to do is build up the Royal Navy quickly.” – Nigel Farage on X (formerly Twitter) DETAIL: Following Argentina’s 2-1 victory against England in the World Cup semi-finals on…Open
Another person has been arrested for comments celebrating the murder of legendary Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman and former Conservative lawmaker and minister Ann Widdecombe.
Another person has been arrested for comments celebrating the murder of legendary Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman and former Conservative lawmaker and minister Ann Widdecombe. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender university employee in the United Kingdom has been arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing for celebrating Ann Widdecombe’s murder on social media. DETAIL: Heather Herbert, a transgender employee at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, was arrested after making comments celebrating Widdecombe’s murder on Bluesky, the far-left social media app. “We received reports on Saturday 11 July 2026 relating to a post made online,” Police Scotland announced. “Following further assessment, a 50-year-old has…Open
Two 17-year-olds were found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life after attacking a packed restaurant with machetes and petrol, causing severe injuries to multiple victims.
Two 17-year-olds were found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life after storming a packed restaurant armed with machetes and gasoline, causing severe injuries to multiple victims. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Two teenagers, armed with machetes , stormed the Indian Aroma restaurant in London , England, dousing the premises and diners with gasoline before setting them alight. The attack caused a fireball that left two people critically injured and several others with severe burns. DETAIL: The teenagers, whose identities have been protected by the courts due to their age, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon following a seven-week trial. The court heard that…Open
